Inside the ACC’s New Deal with ESPN’s David Hale - Best College Football Podcast

The ACC ain't dead yet! In this college football podcast episodes, we go inside the ACC's new deal with ESPN’s David Hale and discuss how Florida State and Clemson were are enormous winners, how Jim Phillips sold smaller schools on the idea of taking less money, what happens in the 2030s when exit fees are more managable, and more!

Key Topics Discussed

• The ACC’s New Money Split. David Hale details the ACC’s deal—60% of TV cash now ties to ratings, favoring Florida State and Clemson, while 40% stays equal; exit fees drop to $75M by 2030.
• FSU and Clemson’s Big Win. Florida State and Clemson came away with higher payouts and a cheaper exit with each passing season, giving them flexibility in the future. Also, schools like North Carolina and Miami benefit (and didn't have to drop millions in legal fees).
• Ratings Rule: A Trendsetter? The ACC’s ratings-based payouts spark debate—could Big Ten (Ohio State vs. Northwestern) or SEC (Alabama vs. Vanderbilt) mimic this model?
• 2030’s Looming Reset. The new ACC deal sets a 2030 exit fee at $75M, syncing with Big 12, Big Ten, and playoff shifts—David pegs a 25-33% shot at a football-only super league.
• Small Schools’ Survival Play. Boston College and other smaller programs took less money to avoid being left behind like Oregon State and Washington State.

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